SAN BERNARDINO – The struggles by the 66ers, which have the team holding the worst record in the California League, has not been because of a lack of effort, manager John Valentin believes.

“I like the intensity we’re showing, we’re just trying to complete games,” Valentin said. “We just haven’t been able to win.”

The shaky defense wasn’t the only reason for San Jose’s 11-3 victory on Friday night over the 66ers, but it certainly didn’t please Valentin.

“You can’t give them extra outs,” he said. “They had 18 hits on the board and they didn’t need any help.”

One of the mental mistakes Friday came immediately after a dropped Sharlon Schoop pop-up resulted in a fielder’s choice.

Before pitcher Garrett White could even get back to the mound, Schoop took off for second. The umpires had not called timeout, although Sixers infielders protested. Valentin did not argue.

“I knew they hadn’t called time,” Valentin said.

Brent Leach was the first Sixer promoted to Double-A and Valentin is looking forward to more.

“You have to prove you don’t belong here, by your performance on the field,” Valentin said. “And if you play well at Double-A you can go directly to the big leagues from there.”

AVAILABLE AGAIN

Right-hander Javy Guerra, who had been on the disabled list with a broken fingernail, was activated on Saturday. Guerra is 1-1 with a 4.35 ERA in three starts this season, but has not pitched since April 16.

Manager John Valentin said that Guerra might initially pitch out of the bullpen. He came in to pitch in relief on Saturday. Guerra made three relief appearances for the Sixers last season, and his future might be in the bullpen as well.

To make room for Guerra, right-handed reliever Given Kutz was placed on the inactive list so he could tend to some family business.

REHAB DAY

Angels right-hander John Lackey will make his third, and what is expected to be his final rehabilitation start for the Quakes today at 2:05 p.m. against Lancaster as he continues recovery from a triceps injury. He is expected to throw about 75 pitches. In his first two Quakes starts, he was 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA, striking out seven and allowing two runs in five innings.

He might be joined by Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick, who was a Quake in 2005, as he recovers from a strained hamstring. Kendrick is scheduled to play today.

Pete Marshall started his career as a freelancer for The Sun in 1991, then later was hired full time by the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin in 1995. Since then he has covered a variety of sports for the Daily Bulletin and The Sun, primarily high school sports and minor league baseball. He's been doing it long enough that he's now covering the children of student-athletes he covered when he first started.

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